The e-book reader market continues to hot up in the US, with news that iRex Technologies is to unveil a new 3G device, the DR800SG, which will use Verizon Wireless' mobile network to download e-books over the air.

It will go head-to-head with Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader Daily Edition, which use the networks of Sprint and AT&T Wireless respectively.

US retail chain Best Buy will be selling iRex's device, according to the New York Times. It has an 8.1-inch touchscreen and connects to the e-book store of Barnes & Noble, as well as e-newspaper service Newspapers Direct.

One interesting aspect of the iRex reader is its use of Qualcomm's Gobi chipset, which will mean users can continue to download books even when abroad and away from Verizon's network.

The DR800SG is expected to cost $399, the same as Sony's device, and cheaper than the latest Kindle.